Well, not quite yet, for this morning’s launch at 1 Utama makes it official at long last. The third-gen Mazda 3 enters the Malaysian scene, initially in fully-imported (CBU Japan) 2.0 Sedan form.

Its 2.0 SkyActiv-G four-cylinder produces 162 hp at 6,000 rpm and 210 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm – it’s the ‘high-tune’ 2.0 litre offered in Japan and Europe. The motor features a 14:1 compression ratio, dual variable valves and direct injection, and is connected to a six-speed auto.

Round the back, you won’t see a boot spoiler, nor will you see its twin tailpipes, which are hidden behind the bumper and its four-cell reverse sensors. You will, however, see LED tail lamps with cool wing-shaped signatures that matches those of the LED headlamps.

In the instrument panel, the speedometer sits in the middle, flanked by a digital bar-type rev counter on the left and a multi-info display on the right (see an alternative layout here). No head-up display, cruise control or auto lamps, though.

There are also six speakers and MZD Connect – this new infotainment system can be navigated via the seven-inch touch-screen or the commander control knob on the centre console. CD, Bluetooth, AUX, USB, SD and navigation are offered.

Click to enlarge spec sheet

The boot holds 408 litres of luggage; you can fold the 60:40-split back seats for more. There’s the i-Stop start-stop system and i-Eloop regenerative braking. Safety is taken care of by six airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, DSC, TCS and Isofix – no lane departure, blind spot nor city brake systems.

A recent research report indicated that the locally-assembled (CKD) Mazda 3 would surface in the third quarter of 2014 – that would obviously be cheaper, but by how much is anyone’s guess at present.

The model to be CKD’d would be the 2.0 Sedan, once CX-5 output at the new assembly line is stable. The 2.5 is being considered for CKD; the probability of the 1.5 and Hybrid arriving here is low at the moment.

While most dream of the future, Jonathan Tan dreams of the past, although he's never been there. Fantasises much too often about cruising down Treacher Road (Jalan Sultan Ismail) in a Triumph Stag that actually works, and hopes this stint here will snap him back to present reality.

Where is Najib’s promise of 30% reduction in car prices over a period of 5 years? Najib promised before the election that if we voted for him and BN, he would ensure that he would match PKR’s offer to reduce car prices.

Najib himself quoted saying that the BN government would reduce car prices by up to 30% gradually over 5 years and we should trust BN. Infact he said BN always keeps to their word. 9 months have passed and nothing has been done.

Infact companies like Toyota and VW have increased their prices. Does not matter now whether a car is CKD or CBU or whether it is EV or EEV. What matters now is where is Najib’s promise??

A Mazda 3 CBU with higher spec in the US, has about 8 airbags, VSC, EBD, Tire Pressure Monitor etc etc, very high spec and yet it cost US$16,945 in the USA

It is CBU Japan made and every single part in Japan made ie very high quality. So, US$16,945 – this works out to RM60,000.

Bermaz will get this car far cheaper from their principial in Japan. If US Mazda can sell this car for USD$16,945 and yet make a margin and profit, then, it is pretty clear, Bermaz Malaysia might be getting this car less than USD$16,945. Maybe about USD$12,000 direct from their principal.

Don’t forget Mazda USA also pay excise duties and taxes to the government,

You people here all seem so bitter about everything. You are bitter about VW’s success, bitter about Mazda’s performance, bitter about Toyota’s conservatism, bitter about Proton’s price … What’s wrong with you people? Not breast fed when you were toddlers?

Bro,
in anycase,(if possible), there is a newlaunch@facelift@cosmetic change for any model, highly appreciated if you could put few pictures comparison of previous and new.
At least can get quick snapshot of what the improvement or changes that being made. Sometimes your readers (especially first time visitor to your page) not aware of the evolution of those models.
Win-win, we give you pagestraffic, you give us quick info.
Thanks!

while reading the international reviews on Mazda 3, i feel kind of sad…they can option a 6 speed manual two litre engine while choosing a sedan or hatchback body. i know it is related to pricing strategies…blah blah blah. but i really do hope there will be a high spec manual sedan variant. hopefully they will take note of this while CKD-ed it.

Looks empty compared to Cerato and boring compared to Altis. The Civic launched in July 2012 while the Cerato launched in July 2013 and the more recent Altis this January. Do seeing more mean better to you? If it does, does it mean Proton is better than Honda?

You can’t just based on one review and conclude. If you really look at reviews around the world, Mazda 3 always came up top and Cerato was no where to be seen. Having said that, Mazda 3 is now fighting for World Car of the year in top 3 now. What’s more interesting is Mazda is the only Japanese car fighting up there with the Europeans.

I didn’t mention about the Focus in the comparison and I don’t see how is it “stupid” as it is one of the best handling cars out there and it looks good too. Don’t you think that the Civic now lacks behind to its uprising competitors (Cerato, Altis, Mazda 3..?) Also reliability matters mainly depends on the driver behind the wheel. Civic and Altis may not necessarily are reliable when last month Honda recalls their cars due to dual clutch transmission issues and last year Toyota recalls their Camry and Altis due to airbags issues.

Direct Injection refers to the fuel delivery method which started with caburetor, fuel injection, MPI (Multi Point Fuel Injection) and now direct fuel injection. Mitsubishi called it GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection).

Turbo is a method of force induction of the air into the cylinder chamber which typically uses the exhaust gases to drive a turbine (turbo charger) in order to compress more air.

The Rm139K Accord is so bare, u just get glamour only. No LED headlamps, Fabric interior, no push start, no paddle shift, no multi function steering, no auto dim rear view mirror, no lumbar support for seats, no GPS, no bluetooth connectivity with stereo… almost like Altis… lol

Been waiting for this for a while but now disappointed. The car is about 15k overpriced especially with the specs it comes with. In that price range, leather seats, cruise control, at least driver auto seat should be standard.

Talk about a loser, “looser”. Please bring your thoughts about korean cars from the 1990s back to where it belongs. Just because you probably drive a Japanese car (you better be, otherwise you’re the biggest hypocrite here), it doesn’t make it wrong for someone who vouched for the value in Kia Cerato. Even the Driven review recommended the Cerato for its cost-to-spec value. Go back to 1990s with that thought of yours. Use a Japanese time machine. Pretty sure it has good RV.

Wait, Now is the launched? So what with all the Mazda I see running around Teknologi Park.

Looking at the price, in contrary to many, I think this is rather pricey. Sure its better than the dissapointment that is the Civic, but in light of the Cerato and even the new Corolla, Its not to say its completely outstanding in spec and size (found it abot cramp), but it appeals in its zoom-zoom driving dynamics and borderlining if not, exact European quality in its interior finishing. In short, if you’re looking at a C-segment sedan in this price range, if you’re sporty and probably still a Bachelor, the Mazda 3 is your take. But If you have a family to carry around, theres the Corolla, for its price, its bigger and still have the same amount of safety. Damn I’am praising a Toyota, I expect shower of downvotes later.

Now Honda, with the City launching tomorrow, every car in your line-up is competitive except the Civic, which is now kicked to the corner of the C-segment room.

Any C-segmenters shouldn’t be more than 130K…139K is very close to D segment already..Even Cerato with very good specs also not more than 130K..maybe the Bermaz marketing team just join from UMW Toyota so they know how to jack up price with funny specs

408 2.0 Normally Aspirated only RM 95K after promo without insurance but 4 speed though. Still it is value for money in comparison to other Jap C segment. Better still get the Turbo, you will feel the Torque at low RPM (acceleration).

Dec 2013 and Jan 2014 and Feb 2014 all offered 408 2.0 (Non Turbo) at 95K w/o insurance, it was even printed in big print in Star Paper and also on this Blog. Now is March I am not quite sure, I bought mine 508 premium from Ipoh, you may try the Old Klang Road NASIM.

This 408 2.0 is value for money, the 2nd row leg room is wide and comfy, good for family, I almost bought it but eventually decided on 508 Premium (Luxurious / features). Why don’t u wait for the coming 308 (European Car of the year 2014, if u can), really saves fuel (incredible figure), better than hybrid, you also don’t have to worry about the battery replacement which will cost u an arm and a leg.

Why are they giving wheel sizes of 18″ as standard now? Those tyre cost a lot to replace. 17″ wheel would have done just good and giving us a 2k discount. 18s makes the car sluggish and trashes the ride.

Mazda Malaysia pls go fly kite, and all the Mazda selmen better give resign letter tomolo and join Toyota, wtf, Malaysians continued to be ripped off, the Mazda 6 supposed to be in this price segment but now The distributor infected with Potong virus they syok sindili tink they r Malaysian Bmw

Disappointed! . first, the car, 2nd, the service centre ( writing this @ the service centre). No doubt, the outlook/ design of car is nice, but good to see, not so good when u drive. I purchased it b4 the official launch (“test drive” was not availability then ) and now I’m completely regret of buying it. 2 mains issues I detected & which is why im here at the service centre.
1. The noise. Driving experience is bad. First, U can hear very loud noises when u are driving. According to the centre, is due to the tyre (imported from japan) that is thick, may not fit msia road. I request to change it and guess what, answer given was ” it comes w the package, we can’t do anything about it”. What nonsense! Next, u can hear very loud wind sound when u r driving, at the highway especially. And explaination by mazda was, it was due to the design of car, turbulence, again they can’t do anything about it. Gosh, for the money rm 138k paid, which in my opinion is at the high side for c segment car, that’s the answer given! What a shit!
2. The absorber. For less than 1,000 Km, I’m already having the absorber sound. The solution given to me now is , they will apply grease. FYI, I’m not the only client having this problem, and they hv earlier raised to their Hq in japan, and according to them, mazda may change the material for their next batch, again thing has yet to finalize. So I asked, can change mine? Answer given was, if they are a lot of ppl complaining the same issue, and if indeed japan is going to change the material, they will claw back all car to change. So, what does it mean?!!
So friend, if u are considering buying new mazda 3, think twice

And ya, forgot to mention, about the rm 2k rebate or leather seat offer. Crap! I go for leather. I collected my car since mid February, and till now, they hv yet to contact me for an appointment for my Leather seat. When I called to follow up, the dealer claimed that they can’t do anything, the panel workshop will call us to fit appointment.

1. Nice to see, but not nice to touch.
2. Business nowadays only care sales… as long as they makes u interested to choose their product, later on service sure sux… no matter what…we live in a place that doesnt really have consumer rights…

where is the BOSE sound system? no cruise control? no head-up display? the dashboard RPM become meter? why the launching of Mazda 3 specs now are different with the preview of Mazda 3 in Malaysia before? speechless

Ah, I kinda envy you guys for getting the 2.0 version, Brunei will be getting ONLY the 1.5 ver and the interior … -> https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10013744_10152853640001996_3295631405026048678_n.jpg

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